Water-permeable pipe assembly

ABSTRACT

A water-permeable pipe assembly includes a pipe unit and first and second interconnecting units. The pipe unit includes upper and lower walls, each of which has first and second end portions. The first interconnecting unit includes a plurality of spaced apart joints that interconnect the first end portions of the upper and lower walls of the pipe unit. Each adjacent pair of the joints of the first interconnecting unit defines a gap therebetween. The second interconnecting unit includes a plurality of spaced apart joints that interconnect the first end portions of the upper and lower walls of the pipe unit. Each adjacent pair of the joints of the second interconnecting unit defines a gap therebetween. Water introduced into the pipe unit is discharged through the gaps in the first and second interconnecting units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a water-permeable pipe assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

Water-permeable pipe assemblies for watering plants are typically disposed on a surface of or under the ground. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional water-permeable pipe assembly that includes an outer pipe unit 11 and an inner pipe unit 12. The outer pipe unit 11 has opposite end portions interconnected by sewing, whereby each of the opposite end portions of the outer pipe unit 11 defines a plurality of holes therethrough 111. The inner pipe unit 12 is disposed in the outer pipe unit 11 and is formed with a plurality of spaced apart through-holes 121, whereby water introduced into the inner pipe unit 12 is discharged through the through-holes 121 in the inner pipe unit 12 and the holes 111 in the outer pipe unit 11.

Although the conventional water-permeable pipe assembly achieves its intended purpose, since the conventional water-permeable pipe assembly includes two pipe units, i.e., the outer and inner pipe units 11, 12, the conventional water-permeable pipe assembly is relatively expensive and difficult to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a water-permeable pipe assembly that can overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.

According to the present invention, a water-permeable pipe assembly comprises a pipe unit, and first and second interconnecting units. The pipe unit extends in a first direction, and includes upper and lower walls, each of which has first and second end portions that are opposite to each other in a second direction transverse to the first direction. The first interconnecting unit includes a plurality of spaced apart joints that interconnect the first end portions of the upper and lower walls of the pipe unit and that are disposed along the first direction. Each adjacent pair of the joints of the first interconnecting unit defines a gap therebetween. The second interconnecting unit is spaced apart from the first interconnecting unit in the second direction, and includes a plurality of spaced apart joints that interconnect the first end portions of the upper and lower walls of the pipe unit and that are disposed along the first direction. Each adjacent pair of the joints of the second interconnecting unit defines a gap therebetween. Water introduced into the pipe unit is discharged through said gaps in the first and second interconnecting units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional water-permeable pipe assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a water-permeable pipe assembly according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a pipe unit of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the preferred embodiment taken on line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a water-permeable pipe assembly according to this invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a pipe unit of the second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of a water-permeable pipe assembly according to this invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a pipe unit of the third preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a water-permeable pipe assembly according to this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the first preferred embodiment of a water-permeable pipe assembly according to this invention is shown to include a pipe unit 3, a first interconnecting unit 5, and four spaced apart second interconnecting units 6.

The water-permeable pipe assembly of this embodiment is for watering plants and may be disposed on a surface of or under the ground.

The pipe unit 3 extends in a first direction (A) and includes spaced apart upper and lower walls 32, 31. Each of the upper and lower walls 32, 31 of the pipe unit 3 has first and second end portions 35, 36 that are opposite to each other in a second direction (B) transverse to the first direction (A), and an intermediate portion 37 between the first and second end portions 35, 36 thereof. In this embodiment, the pipe unit 3 is made from a flexible water-impermeable material, such as a plastic or a rubber.

The first interconnecting unit 5 includes a plurality of spaced apart joints 52 that interconnect a junction of the intermediate portion 37 and the first end portion 35 of the upper wall 32 of the pipe unit 3 and a junction of the intermediate portion 37 and the first end portion 35 of the lower wall 31 of the pipe unit 3, and that are disposed along the first direction (A). Each adjacent pair of the joints 52 of the first interconnecting unit 5 defines a gap 53 therebetween.

The second interconnecting units 6 are spaced apart from the first interconnecting unit 5 in the second direction (B) and are disposed along the second direction (B). Each of the second interconnecting units 6 includes a plurality of spaced apart joints 61 that interconnect the first end portions 35 of the upper and lower walls 32, 31 of the pipe unit 3 and that are disposed along the first direction (A). Each adjacent pair of the joints 61 of the each of the second interconnecting units 6 defines a gap 62 therebetween.

In this embodiment, each of the joints 52, 61 of the first and second interconnecting units 5, 6 is formed using an ultrasonic wave lamination technique. This significantly simplifies manufacturing of the water-permeable pipe assembly of this embodiment.

In an alternative embodiment, each of the joints 52, 61 of the first and second interconnecting units 5, 6 is formed using one of a heat lamination technique, a laser lamination technique, and a high-frequency wave lamination technique.

It is noted that the gaps 62 in the second interconnecting unit 6 that is adjacent to the first interconnecting unit 5 are misaligned with the gaps 53 in the first interconnecting unit 5 in the second direction (B).

It is also noted that the gaps 62 in each of the second interconnecting units 6 are misaligned with the gaps 62 in an adjacent one of the second interconnecting units 6 in the second direction (B).

In this embodiment, the second end portion 36 of the upper wall 32 of the pipe unit 3 is formed integrally with the second end portion 36 of the lower wall 31 of the pipe unit 3.

The intermediate portions 37 of the upper and lower walls 32, 31 of the pipe unit 3 define a first channel 33 therebetween that extends in the first direction.

The first end portions 35 of the upper and lower walls 32, 31 of the pipe unit 3 define a plurality of second channels 34 therebetween, each of which extends in the first direction (A). In this embodiment, each of the second channels 34 in the pipe unit 3 has a diameter smaller than that of the first channel 33 in the pipe unit 3.

From the above description, when water is introduced into the first channel 33 in the pipe unit 3, the water is discharged through the gaps 53, 62 in the first and second interconnecting units 5, 6 and the second channels 34 in the pipe unit 3.

The water-permeable pipe assembly further includes a pair of stays 4, each of which extends through the first channel 33 in the pipe unit 3. The construction as such prevents the upper and lower walls 32, 31 of the pipe unit 3 from attaching to each other when there is no water in the first channel 33 in the pipe unit 3.

In other embodiments, the water-permeable pipe assembly may be dispensed with the stays 4.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the second preferred embodiment of a water-permeable pipe assembly according to this invention. When compared to the previous embodiment, the second end portion 36 of the upper wall 32 of the pipe unit 3 is not formed integrally with the second end portion 36 of the lower wall 31 of the pipe unit 3, and is instead sealingly connected to the second end portion 36 of the lower wall 31 of the pipe unit 3 using an ultrasonic wave lamination technique.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the third preferred embodiment of a water-permeable pipe assembly according to this invention. When compared to the first embodiment, the second end portion 36 of the upper wall 32 of the pipe unit 3 is not formed integrally with the second end portion 36 of the lower wall 31 of the pipe unit 3.

The water-permeable pipe assembly further includes a third interconnecting unit 5 and four spaced apart fourth interconnecting units 6. The third interconnecting unit 5 includes a plurality of spaced apart joints that interconnect a junction of the intermediate portion 37 and the second end portion 36 of the upper wall 32 of the pipe unit 3 and a junction of the intermediate portion 37 and the second end portion 36 of the lower wall 31 of the pipe unit 3, and that are disposed along the first direction. Each adjacent pair of the joints of the third interconnecting unit 5 defines a gap therebetween. The fourth interconnecting units 6 are spaced apart from the third interconnecting unit 5 in the second direction and are disposed along the second direction. Each of the fourth interconnecting units 6 includes a plurality of spaced apart joints that interconnect the second end portions 36 of the upper and lower walls 32, 31 of the pipe unit 3 and that are disposed along the first direction. Each adjacent pair of the joints of the each of the fourth interconnecting units 6 defines a gap therebetween.

The second end portions 36 of the upper and lower walls 32, 31 of the pipe unit 3 define a plurality of third channels therebetween. As such, water introduced into the first channel 33 in the pipe unit 3 is discharged through the gaps in the first, second, third, and fourth interconnecting units 5, 6 and the second and third channels in the pipe unit 3.

FIG. 9 illustrates the fourth preferred embodiment of a water-permeable pipe assembly according to this invention. When compared to the first embodiment, the first end portions 35 of the upper and lower walls 32, 31 of the pipe unit 3 are further interconnected by sewing with the use of a sewing thread 7, whereby the first end portion 35 of each of the upper and lower walls 32, 31 of the pipe unit 3 is formed with a plurality of holes 71 therethrough that are disposed along the first direction (A). As such, water introduced into the first channel 33 in the pipe unit 3 is discharged through the gaps 53, 62 in the first and second interconnecting units 5, 6 and the second channels 34 and the holes 71 in the pipe unit 3.

It has thus been shown that the water-permeable pipe assembly of this invention includes a single pipe unit, i.e., the pipe unit 3. As such, the water-permeable pipe assembly of this invention is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A water-permeable pipe assembly comprising: a pipe unit extending in a first direction, and including upper and lower walls, each of which has first and second end portions that are opposite to each other in a second direction transverse to the first direction; a first interconnecting unit including a plurality of spaced apart joints that interconnect said first end portions of said upper and lower walls of said pipe unit and that are disposed along the first direction, each adjacent pair of said joints of said first interconnecting unit defining a gap therebetween; and a second interconnecting unit spaced apart from said first interconnecting unit in the second direction, and including a plurality of spaced apart joints that interconnect said first end portions of said upper and lower walls of said pipe unit and that are disposed along the first direction, each adjacent pair of said joints of said second interconnecting unit defining a gap therebetween, whereby water introduced into said pipe unit is discharged through said gaps in said first and second interconnecting units.
 2. The water-permeable pipe assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gaps in said second interconnecting unit are misaligned with said gaps in said first interconnecting unit in the second direction.
 3. The water-permeable pipe assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said upper and lower walls of said pipe unit further has an intermediate portion between said first and second end portions thereof, said intermediate portions of said upper and lower walls of said pipe unit defining a first channel therebetween, said first end portions of said upper and lower walls of said pipe unit defining a second channel therebetween, whereby water introduced into said first channel in said pipe unit is discharged through said gaps in said first and second interconnecting units and said second channel in said pipe unit.
 4. The water-permeable pipe assembly as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a stay that extends through said first channel in said pipe unit.
 5. The water-permeable pipe assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second interconnecting units is formed using one of a heat lamination technique, an ultrasonic wave lamination technique, and a high-frequency wave lamination technique.
 6. The water-permeable pipe assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second end portion of said upper wall of said pipe unit is formed integrally with said second end portion of said lower wall of said pipe unit.
 7. The water-permeable pipe assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second end portion of said upper wall of said pipe unit is sealingly connected to said second end portion of said lower wall of said pipe unit.
 8. The water-permeable pipe assembly as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a third interconnecting unit including a plurality of spaced apart joints that interconnect said second end portions of said upper and lower walls of said pipe unit and that are disposed along the first direction, each adjacent pair of said joints of said third interconnecting unit defining a gap therebetween, whereby water introduced into said first channel in said pipe unit is discharged through said gaps in said first, second, and third interconnecting units and said second channel in said pipe unit.
 9. The water-permeable pipe assembly as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a fourth interconnecting unit spaced apart from said third interconnecting unit in the second direction, and including a plurality of spaced apart joints that interconnect said second end portions of said upper and lower walls of said pipe unit and that are disposed along the first direction, each adjacent pair of said joints of said fourth interconnecting unit defining a gap therebetween, said second end portions of said pipe unit defining a third channel therebetween, whereby water introduced into said first channel in said pipe unit is discharged through said gaps in said first, second, third, and fourth interconnecting units and said second and third channels in said pipe unit.
 10. The water-permeable pipe assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said gaps in said fourth interconnecting unit are misaligned with said gaps in said third interconnecting unit in the second direction.
 11. The water-permeable pipe assembly as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a sewing thread for sewing said first end portions of said upper and lower walls of said pipe unit such that said first end portion of each of said upper and lower walls of said pipe unit defines a plurality of holes therethrough disposed along the first direction, whereby water introduced into said first channel in said pipe unit is discharged through said gaps in said first and second interconnecting units and said second channel and said holes in said pipe unit. 